Main Scripture: God made him
who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him
we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21(NIV)
Music to meditate
on: Just for me – Donnie McClurkin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-siYQMbv2s)
Good Friday is celebrated by many Christians across the
world as the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death on Calvary.
It is celebrated in different ways depending on your location, many Christians
attend church on this day and fast, some for example in the Philippines reenact this day and dozens
are nailed to a cross as sign of penance.
However, why is this event so important? Why did Christ
die on Good Friday?
Putting it simple, Christ died so that we might live.
His purpose on this earth was so that He could die to save humanity.
John 19:30 states that “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave
up his spirit.” (NIV). Here it was obvious that his mission on earth was
finished, he fulfilled his purpose on the earth so that we might have eternal
life.
Peter Lundell explains it
like this:
God is Holy--God is almighty, perfect, and separate from his
creation; he is without sin of any kind. That's great, but it creates a problem
for us: our sinful human state separates us from him (Leviticus 11:44-45 ; Isaiah 6:3–5). This is serious trouble—and it gets
worse.
God is Righteous--God requires justice, either in this life or the next. A
price must be paid for every wrong. Sin is like a cancer that won't go away. It
must be destroyed, which means we all get the death penalty. This is why no one
can ever be good enough to make it to heaven by their own effort, ever (Leviticus 17:11 ; Romans 3:23–26). We're all dead meat.
God is Love--God loves us, whom he's created, and wants to have
relationship with us. So after centuries of Old Testament animal sacrifice, he
paid his own penalty and gave us Jesus Christ, who was simultaneously God and
human. Jesus died in our place to pay the price (death) for the sins of all
humanity and to give a "not guilty" verdict to those who receive him
as Lord of their lives (Romans 5:8). His resurrection overcame the powers
of death and hades to guarantee eternal life to those who are his (Revelation 1:17–18), while here and now his Spirit brings
life to our previously disconnected human spirits. This is good, very good.
So today, reflect on why Christ died on the cross, read
the account of his death and accept Christ’s beautiful gift of Eternal Life. The
cross will always represent the love God has for us, so accept his love today
by inviting him into your hearts to transform and renew you so that you might
have eternal life.
Let’s Pray
Father, thank you for dying for our sins, open our eyes
and hearts today so we might understand why you died for us. Help us to can
accept your eternal gift of life.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Have a
God Filled Day Ladies